Euroleague's Slam Dunk for Inclusion

Turkish Airlines Euroleague Scores a Slam Dunk for Inclusion by dedicating 24 Games to One Team Partner Special Olympics

24 Matches Dedicated to Special Olympics

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Barcelona, Spain: The 2012-13 Turkish Airlines Euroleague season is going strong and Europe's most prestigious basketball competition is taking an early opportunity to promote social inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities as part of its acclaimed "One Team" social responsibility program.

Under the “Game 8” and “Game 9” programmes, 24 Euroleague games taking place the next two weeks (November 29 and 30, December 6 and 7) will be dedicated to the athletes of Special Olympics, the world’s largest sporting organisation for people with intellectual disabilities and partners of One Team.

There are almost 200 million people in the world with intellectual disabilities. Many of them struggle for the opportunity to be integrated into society and in their communities, and even to receive proper medical care. Many are faced with discrimination, stigma and abuse that deny them their most basic human rights to health, education, and sometimes life itself.

“Once again, the Turkish Airlines Euroleague is demonstrating its commitment to using basketball to empower people with intellectual disabilities," says Mary Davis, President of Special Olympics Europe Eurasia. "Our athletes are thrilled for this opportunity and looking forward to meeting their Euroleague heroes." Just before the start of the 24 Euroleague games, which are taking place in different venues across Europe, basketball players with intellectual disabilities will appear on court alongside Euroleague stars in a show of unity and strength that sends a powerful message of respect, acceptance and inclusion for all.

The Special Olympics athletes will then enjoy that night's Euroleague games as guests of the host clubs. Some of the athletes will also have the opportunity to reveal their basketball skills to packed stadiums by taking part in drills and free throws during half-time or time-out breaks. The dedication of these 24 Euroleague games to Special Olympics is part of One Team's support of the 2012 Special Olympics European Basketball Week. Taking place from November 24 to December 2, European Basketball Week is one week of the year where the European basketball community are called on to play their part in expanding more opportunities for players with intellectual disabilities.

ABOUT ONE TEAM

Launched in 2012, the One Team programme combines the efforts and support of its partners to use the sport of basketball to create positive social change. One Team is the new corporate social responsibility (CSR) and marketing partnership program developed by Euroleague Basketball together with its member clubs and supported by Turkish Airlines.One Team is a best-in-class CSR programme, drawing from best-case examples in the world of sport as well as our own innovation.Visit http://www.euroleague.net/euroleague-for-life/one-team

About Special OlympicsSpecial Olympics is an international organization that changes lives through the power of sport by empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to 4 million athletes in 170 countries worldwide, providing year-round sports training, athletic competition and related programs. Special Olympics takes place daily, changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities all over the world. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy and friendship.

Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org. Engage with us on: Twitter @specialolympics; fb.com/specialolympics; youtube.com/specialolympicshq, and specialolympicsblog.wordpress.com